Mail-bag fastener



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

L. WILLIAMS'. MAIL BAG. PASTENBR.

No. 516,254. Patented Mmm-13, 1894.

NATIoNAL mmemnuna commun -wmmu-QN. u. s.

UNITED Sfrmns- PArnNr Prion.

- LEWIS WILLIAMS, OF BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS.

MAIL-BAG FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 516,254, dated March 13, 1894.

Application tiled September 9, 1893. Serial No. 485,172. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, LEWIS WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing atBellevillc,

county of St. Clair, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bag Fasteners, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, wherein- Figure l represents a perspective view of a mail-bag provided with my fastener in its closed position. Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the fastener opened and. the flap of .the bag thrown back. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view, through the flap and bag, showing in detail the operation of the cam-hooks; and Fig. 4 is across-sectional view, through the hasp. y

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in mail-bag fasteners, and consists in mounting upon the upper end of the bag a series of staples which are adapted to register with and pass through openings in the tiap, which staples receive in their protruding end, cam-hooks, which pass therethrough, tightly binding the parts together and preventing the flap from being raised.

Another feature of invention resides in mounting these cam-hooks upon a sectional rod, which rod also affords means of support for the hasp which acts as a handle therefor to operate the cam hooks and, at the same time, affording a medium for lookin g this sectional rod and its carried cam hooks in their operative position in the staples.

In the drawings, A indicates the bag proper,

provided with the usual flap B.

Riveted or otherwise secured to the upper face of the bag beneath the space occupied by the flap when the same is in a closed position, are a series of staples C, which, as shown, are horizontally disposed. These staples are also mounted, for purpose,of rigidity, upon aframe C,Which, upon one side of the bag, is extended, down, and has mounted in its lower end another staple D. Secured to the outside of the flap, are plates E and E', which are formed with openings registering with the staples C. One of these plates E lis preferably extended down or toward the outerl end of the flap similar to the plate C', and has formed in its outer end an opening e, which registers with the bearings f, formed on the plates E and E.

This rod F is preferably formed in two or more sections in order that the same may be broken to permit the mouth of the bag to present an opening such as shown in Fig. 2. This I accomplish by forming two eyes in the rod,which interlock with each other, forming substantially a universal joint, permitting the rod to assume vdifferent positions necessary to meet the requirements in opening the mouth of the bag, but which, at the same time, are so closely fitted that lost playin the rotation of the rod is not present. To support the rod F at its center, and, at the same time, prevent lateral play or displacement when the Hap is made to assume a position as shown 'in Fig. 2, I form a reduced portion on each side of the eyes and spring thereover a split bearing, as indicated vat G. Mounted along the length of this rod F, in alignment with the staple openings in the plates E and E are cam-shaped hooks H, which, when the`flap is down, are adapted to enter the staples C, and, by turning the hasp toward the bag, will bear against the plates E and E', respectively, drawing the staples therethrough until the flap is forced closely against the upper front edge of the bag, at which time the noses of the hooks will have so far passed the staple as to prevent any possible displacement.

I indicates the 'hasp before referred to, which, as stated, performs the dual function of a handle for .the rod F and a medium for' its sides, near the rod F, under which is received a destination card, indicated at K. It will be seen that when the parts are in their locked position this destination card being held from lateral displacement, by the side IOO anges, will also be held against longitudinal displacement on the one end by the rod F, and, on the other, by the staple D.

Iam aware that many minor changes in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of my device can be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a mail bag fastener, the combination with the bag and its flap, of staples C arranged in horizontal alignment on the upper, outer edge of the bag and adapted to project through the aligning openings in the Hap, a staple D mounted on the bag and adapted to project through an opening in the flap near its outer edge, plates E and E mounted on the outside of the iap and surrounding the staple openings, and provided with bearings fat their outer edges, split bearings G, sectional rod F, the sections of which are connected by interlocking eyes, cam hooks H on said rod which are adapted to engage staple C when the fiap is closed and the rod F turned, hasp I on rod F, and a suitable lock .I which is adapted to co-operate with hasp I and sta ple D, substantially as described.

2. In a mail bag fastener, the combination with the bag and its iap of a series of horizontally aligned staples C arranged on the upper outer edge of the bag and adapted to project through the iap, staple D mounted on the bag and adapted to project through the outer edge of the Hap, plates E and E mounted on the Hap and surrounding the staple openings for the staples C, the plate E extending down and surrounding the staple opening for the staple D, bearings f mounted on the outer edges of the plates, bearings G, a sectional rod F mounted in said bearings f and G, the inner ends of its sections between the bearings G being formed with eyes which interlock and make a universal joint, cam hooks H on rod F adapted' to engage the sta ples C when the flap is closed and rod F turned, hasp I mounted on the rod in line with the opening in the outer edge of the iap for the staple D, and lock .Iwhich is adapted to co-operate with staple D and hasp I, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 2d day of September, 1893.

LEWIS WILLIAMS.

Witnesses:

F. R. CORNWALL, II. M. N EEDLES. 

